The air in the classroom crackled with anticipation. The annual school festival was just a week away, and everyone was buzzing with excitement. Jun, however, was feeling anything but thrilled. He was still reeling from the confrontation with Aiko, and he was worried about how she might react to the festival.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNF8I4LSXdu
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmDvLOEG1n
Yuki, sensing his unease, squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, Jun," she said, her voice soft. "We'll be together the whole time."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxyPhns4DJ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3belVCrydV
Jun nodded, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He had been feeling a little insecure lately, especially after witnessing Aiko's relentless pursuit. He couldn't help but wonder if Yuki was truly happy with him, or if she was just being nice.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNfWad3nea
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSoaZRBqlX
As if reading his mind, Yuki leaned closer and whispered, "I can't wait to spend the festival with you, Jun. It's going to be amazing."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMj8M6w6AG
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvzjTMxbgB
Jun felt a wave of warmth wash over him. He knew he was being ridiculous, but he couldn't help but feel a little jealous when he saw Hana, his childhood friend, chatting with Yuki during their lunch break. Hana had always been a little too friendly with Yuki for his liking, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of insecurity.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngrGFauyDk
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCxd2QYK3k
"What are you two talking about?" Jun asked, his voice a little strained.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa69ulDjQa9
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFKZ5K54uP
Hana, oblivious to his unease, grinned. "Oh, we were just discussing the festival," she said. "Yuki has some great ideas for the class booth."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Yu9myS6Dn
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56AwB44Z3z
Jun forced a smile. "Sounds fun," he said, trying to hide his jealousy.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5aS9ZhMeh
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zcAePawI3
He couldn't help but feel a little left out. He wanted to be the one talking to Yuki, the one sharing ideas with her. But he was too shy, too afraid to speak up.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYUtANM9Rb
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOQrCCdj4m
Later that day, as Jun was walking home from school, he bumped into Aiko. She was standing by the school gate, her eyes fixed on him with an intensity that made him uncomfortable.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhheFgk66Dk
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U8lZrI0Ay
"Jun," she said, her voice soft and seductive. "I have a surprise for you."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfQRjN4w2u
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFj6Wiz37f
Jun felt a shiver run down his spine. He knew he shouldn't take anything from her, but he didn't want to be rude.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1bYm3OyrM
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCdFbgbynn
"What is it?" he asked, his voice hesitant.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCKCHiLmgd
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoNtj9g5Yu
Aiko smiled, her eyes gleaming. "It's for the festival," she said. "I made you something special."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbslAyeUUf
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJns0B4Ftv
She reached into her bag and pulled out a small, intricately carved wooden box. It was beautiful, but something about it made Jun uneasy.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNN2KIZVDd
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCe13dcPm6V
"Thanks, Aiko," he said, taking the box. "But I don't think I can accept it."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKXzQqn840
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCsamhwnt7
Aiko's smile faltered. "Why not?" she asked, her voice tinged with hurt.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2f8gDglEy
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDmcJZu9WK
"I... I don't want to make things awkward," Jun said, trying to find the right words. "I'm happy with Yuki."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopms54QOub
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyS6SW0ekw
Aiko's eyes narrowed. "You're happy with her?" she asked, her voice laced with bitterness. "But she doesn't love you the way I do."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA3F4bdyM3
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP1g5lYT6n
Jun felt a pang of guilt. He knew Aiko was obsessed with him, but he couldn't help but feel a little flattered by her attention.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknqavIxtP3
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLEXYGh3ce
"I appreciate your feelings, Aiko," he said, trying to be kind. "But I'm happy with Yuki."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN5NWwjDjn
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKEf41NeFH
Aiko turned and walked away, her shoulders slumped with defeat. Jun watched her go, his heart heavy with guilt. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, but he knew he had to be honest with himself. He was in love with Yuki, and he couldn't imagine being with anyone else.
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rGc26mDxf
